Folding steps



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D. Boar DICE, CHANCEY iv. swOED, AND ELAvIUs II. wILDEE, OE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING STEPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,226, dated January 6, 1885.

Application filed April 10, 1884.

To all whom t III/ty concern,.-

Be it known that we, D. BURT RICE, CHANT CEY N. SWORD, and FLAvIUs M. WILDER, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful lmproverneuts in Folding Steps, of which the following is a specification, to wit:

This invention relates to folding steps; and

IO it consists in a box or platform provided with a series of steps hinged therein and to each other, and adapted to be drawn out or eutirely folded within the box or case, substantially as and for the'purpose hereinafter more I 5 fully set forth and claimed.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same, we will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, refer- 2o ring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lis a perspective view of the device opened out. Fig. 2 is a similar view folded up for convenience and transportation, and Fig. 3 is a section through two ofthe steps, showing the stop for preventing their being drawn out too far.

A represents a box or case forming a platform of sufficient strength to sustain the weight of one or more persons, and having its `bot- 3o tom and one side made removable, as will be evident by an inspection of the drawings. lVithiu the bOX, and pivoted thereto by a bolt or rod, a, is placed a series of steps, B B, which are preferably of au approximate triangular form'. These steps may be ot' any number required by the height ofthe case or platform, and may be all hinged or pivoted upon the same pivot a, so as to fold with one motion, or if of too great a number for this,

4o as in Fig. l, they are pivoted to each other,

as at I) b', and fold together iu opposite directions, and finally within the Case. The steps are each provided upon their Lipper inner edges with a lug or stop, b2, which engages with the next step above, as in Fig. 3, and prevents its being drawn out too far. Each step is upon one end provided with a wood or sheet-metal casing, which is curved to correspond to the shape of the step, as at c, and,

5o reaching to the floor, serves to effectually hide (No model.)

the space beneath the steps, and does not in any manner interfere with its being freely folded as desired.

This device .is well adapted to halls used for lectures, dancing, &c., as being quickly placed in position and removed, to public stands for Outdoor meetings, to stage fittings and scenes, and various other places of a similar nature. The drawings herewith show it especially designed for use by Masonic lodges, and in this 6o case the steps are arranged in three series of three, ive, and seven, respectively, and is eX- ceedingly convenient for this purpose, requiring but a few moments to place in position or remove. The lower three steps are folded in from one end, then the next series shoved together, and finally the whole folded and turned entirely within the case, which is then turned in the position seen in Fig. 2, the side and hinged end A secured in position, and the 7o whole removed by means of the handles c', secured to the ease.

The device is ornamented iu any manner desired, and forms a sightly article of great value. Then used by Masonic bodies, it will usually be made quite low, and with itis used a stool or step, C, which is also contained in the case when folded up.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by 8o Letters Patent, is-

l. In a folding stair, a case Orframein combination with a series of steps pivoted iu one Corner of the same, and adapted to be drawn out or entirely folded within the case at will, 8 5 substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The box or caseA, having handles c and a removable bottom and end, A, in combina tion with a series of triangular steps, B,hinged or pivoted in one corner of the box, and pro- 9o vided with the stops b2, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

D. BURT RICE. CHANCEY N. SWORD. FLAVIUS M. VILDER. Witnesses:

W. C. MCAETHUE, Giras. KEEssIIANN. 

